Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson declined to rule star point guard Kyrie Irving out before the All-Star break.

Irving is currently out with the knee injury he suffered against the Washington Wizards on Feb. 1 after colliding with Bradley Beal.

Irving has appeared in just 20 games this season after missing a bunch of time earlier in the campaign with a shoulder injury. Kyrie is averaging 27.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists in his first season with Brooklyn, all while shooting 47.8 percent from the field, 39.4 percent from beyond the arc and 92.2 percent from the free-throw line.

The Nets are 8-12 with Irving in the lineup and 23-27 overall on the season. Brooklyn is in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

Brooklyn will be cautious with Irving since he has a history of knee injuries. The team is fortunate to have backup guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who can lead the Nets on offense while Irving is out. He was the main option on offense while Kyrie was rehabbing his shoulder ailment.

The Nets will more than likely start the 2020 playoffs on the road should they make it, just like last season. Brooklyn is hoping Irving's championship experience and superstar-scoring skills will be on full display in the postseason so that they can pull off a first-round upset and advance to the second round.

Of course, the Nets aren't considered title contenders this 2019-20 since two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant is out. Once KD plays in 2020-21 with Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan by his side, that's when Brooklyn will be feared by every team in the league.